Campus Climate Action Corps

WashU is seeking full-time and part-time candidates for the inaugural year of the WashU Climate Corps. 

Beginning in September 2024, Washington University in St. Louis is launching the WashU Climate Corps, part of the Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC), the first nationwide AmeriCorps program solely dedicated to campus-based, community-led climate action. 

The WashU Climate Corps will consist of three full-time and six part-time AmeriCorps members who will support climate and sustainability work on campus and in the surrounding community in partnership with local non-profits. The first year of the WashU Climate Corps will run from mid-September 2024 through the end of July 2025 and have three focus areas: 1) energy conservation and carbon reduction, 2) urban trees and ecology, and 3) circularity and solid waste pollution prevention. Each focus area will be led by one full-time member and supported by part-time members, whose time will be split equally between relevant projects on campus and in the St. Louis community. All WashU Climate Corps members will work as a larger team to support activities and service events across programmatic areas, such as tree plantings, energy efficiency audits, and community clean ups. 

CCAC Full-Time Member Benefits: 

CCAC Climate Action Leaders receive AmeriCorps benefits, including a living stipend and Segal Education Award. As a Full-Time AmeriCorps member, the Climate Action Leader will receive: 

  • A living allowance of $18,700 total for the service term. It will be distributed evenly in bi-monthly installments via direct deposit and is taxable income.  
  • A $7,395.50 Segal Education Award. This award is contingent upon the successful completion of the program, is good for 7 years, and can be used to pay for college or technical school or to pay back qualified public student loans. 
  • Childcare assistance for qualifying members 
  • Student loan forbearance and interest payments for qualifying members 
  • Professional development and an enhanced professional network  

Additional WashU Full-Time Member Benefits: 

  • Free housing with utilities and internet included in a recently renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom University-owned apartment located four blocks from the Danforth Campus. 

CCAC Part-Time Member Benefits: 

  • A $250 stipend from CCAC 
  • A $1,565.08 Segal Education Award. This award is contingent upon the successful completion of the program, is good for 7 years, and can be used to pay for college or technical school or to pay back qualified public student loans. 
  • Student loan forbearance and interest payments for qualifying members 
  • Professional development and an enhanced professional network 

Additional WashU Part-Time Member Benefits 

Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Focus Area 

Furthering Campus Commitments 

Members will spend on-campus time advancing the WashU Green Lab Program. This program provides resources and incentives to encourage and support lab staff in adopting a range of more sustainable practices, including opportunities for energy efficiency. CCAC members will engage in outreach with lab staff to support their participation in this program.  

Expanding Community Partnerships 

Through a partnership with local non-profit EnergyCare, CCAC members will work to provide home weatherization and energy assistance to low-income households in St. Louis.  

Urban Trees and Ecology Focus Area 

Furthering Campus Commitments 

Members will support activities of the Arboretum of Washington University, including public outreach and education, leading tours, citizen science to document campus biodiversity, tree plantings, the Love Letters to Trees campaign, website updates, and more.  The Arboretum of Washington University is a Level 2 accredited arboretum working towards Level 3 accreditation with support from WashU Climate Corps members.

Expanding Community Partnerships 

In partnership with Forest ReLeaf, members will work to expand urban tree canopy, expand tree species diversity, and support a diverse learning environment that is focused on growing awareness around the importance trees play for healthy people and healthy places, particularly in North St. Louis City. As part of its commitment to planting and enriching communities, Forest ReLeaf is committed to focusing on tree equity, i.e., intentionally growing tree canopy in areas adversely impacted by the effects of redlining, disinvestment and environmental racism. 

Circularity and Solid Waste Pollution Prevention Focus Area 

Furthering Campus Commitments 

The CCAC members will guide and develop the Circularity Center programs, channeling new resources (a physical warehouse space and store) to achieve greater social and environmental impact for the WashU and St. Louis communities. Members will develop standard operating procedures for program operations, evaluation and assessment tools, annual reports for leadership, and marketing materials. In addition, the members will support program operations and logistics, in collaboration with staff from the Office of Sustainability, Campus Mail, the Office of Government and Community Relations, Residential Life, and other program stakeholders.   

Expanding Community Partnerships  

In addition to building relationships with a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the region that will become a part of WashU’s materials reuse ecosystem, the CCAC members will also work with local community organizations to assess waste infrastructure in the City of St. Louis and convene and coordinate stakeholders to support community-driven solutions.

How to Apply

Apply for full-time and part-time WashU Climate Corps roles using this link. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Deadline is August 30th.

Please note that due to federal guidelines, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident to be eligible for AmeriCorps.

For more information about the WashU Climate Corps roles described above, please contact sustainability@wustl.edu.

For more information about the overall Campus Climate Action Corps AmeriCorps program, please email Glennys Navarrete at gnavarrete@compact.org.